(May 9, 2014) MADRID, SPAIN – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced that Hsieh Su-Wei will rise to the World No.1 doubles ranking on Monday, May 12, joining her doubles partner Peng Shuai as co-No.1s. Hsieh is the first player from Chinese Taipei to ascend to the WTA World No.1 doubles ranking. Hsieh and Peng are the 10th team in WTA history to stand as co-No.1 in the WTA Doubles Rankings.

“It is a great accomplishment for Hsieh Su-Wei to join Peng Shuai as co-World No.1s,” said WTA Chairman and CEO, Stacey Allaster. “Not only are Hsieh and Peng a great doubles team, but they are an inspiration to the fans throughout the Asia-Pacific region. ”

“Reaching No.1 in the world is a great feeling,” said Hsieh. “We have been working really hard as a team. I was very proud of Peng reached No.1 earlier this year and now I am happy we can share the No.1 rankings.”

“Our goal this year is to reach Singapore,” explained Peng. “It is nice to share the doubles No.1 ranking with Su-Wei and we look forward to playing together the rest of the year, trying to reach the WTA Championships.”

Hsieh teamed up with Peng for a breakthrough year in 2013, winning five doubles titles, highlighted by their first major championship at Wimbledon and the WTA Championships. They also raised the champions’ trophy at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome), Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) and Guangzhou Open. Earlier this year, the duo has won titles at the Qatar Total Open (Doha) and at BNP Paripas Open (Indian Wells) in March, as the pair now has a perfect 11-0 record in doubles finals.

2014 has been marked by rankings breakthroughs for players from Asia-Pacific. In addition to Hsieh who has made history for Chinese Taipei tennis, earlier in February this year Chinese players Li Na climbed to No.2 in the singles rankings and Peng to No.1 in doubles rankings, both new national records for Chinese tennis. A two-time Grand Slam champion, Li also became the first Asian player to hold the WTA World No.2 singles ranking, while Peng is the first Chinese player to rise to the WTA World No.1 doubles ranking.

Hsieh and Peng currently sit at No.5 in the Road to Singapore for the BNP Paribas WTA Championships presented by SC Global and they have a chance to improve to No.2 in the Road to Singapore Leaderboard this week in Madrid, depending on this week’s results.